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At Durban, the European Union (EU) pushed hard for a legally binding agreement for all. The aim, it said, was that this legal instrument would bring the US on board, as it would include China, India and other big developing countries to commit to cut emissions.

Climate change conference- World leaders fail to act again

Little headway was made at the un climate change conference held in Nairobi, Kenya, from November 6 to 17, 2006. The most important issue, mandating commitments to cutting carbon emissions, was stonewalled, with the us refusing to budge from its stated positions, as expected, and the European Union pushing for emission cuts across the board.

Steering the way

New Delhi, 15 November

Rescued or doomed

"I hear no objections, it is so decided," Jan Pronk, president of the meeting, said in obvious relief as he brought down the gavel at the resumed session of the sixth conference of parties to the climate change convention.

Setting Out

since the release of the environmental rating of the automobile sector by the Centre for Science and Environment several people have told us that it must have taken some courage to rate the auto sector, which is headed by some of the most powerful industrial stalwarts like Rahul Bajaj and Ratan Tata. We had never thought on these lines. On the contrary, we found the industry extremely docile and cooperative.

Illusions of grandeur

No specific environmental policy, no initiative towards improving its environmental governance, not even a person responsible for environmental activities the list is endless and Majestic Auto seems to have lost its aura. The company, which is one of the main units of leading Hero Group, is placed 24th with a score of 20.5 per cent. Like most of those occupying the bottom rung, it suffers from an extremely weak monitoring mechanism and has no immediate plans to go for iso 14001 certification.

Hero number 1

It may not be the most powerful or the very stylish. But as the most user-friendly bike, Hero Honda has sped far ahead in the race for market capitalisation. Sporting an economical and optimised vehicle design, the product has scored an impressive 40.7 per cent to push contenders like Bajaj Boxer, lml Energy and tvs Suzuki Fierro on the side track.

Hold Up!

For the first eight days, negotiations went exactly as expected.

Durban diary: a visual journal

Empty meeting halls while the world awaits the decision of the final negotiationsof the COP17 at Durban Photograph by:Surya Sen Read also: Time-out

Durban diary: a visual journal

Indian and US negotiators meet during a break of the final negotiation process of the COP17 at Durban Photograph by:Surya Sen Read also: Time-out